Naval Group Unveils SCX 26 Autonomous Warship Concept

French shipbuilder Naval Group has unveiled SCX 26, a 170-meter warship concept designed for high-intensity naval combat involving autonomous systems, advanced missile defense and electronic warfare. Presented at EURONAVAL 2026 in Paris, the proposed 8,000-tonne vessel combines extensive drone-deployment facilities with more than 100 missile launch cells and a modular architecture designed to accommodate evolving naval technologies.

The concept is designed to reach speeds of 30 knots and operate over distances exceeding 8,000 nautical miles. Its architecture comprises two integrated sections separated by a flexible zone that would allow additional mission capabilities to be introduced throughout the vessel's operational life. The design remains conceptual and is not tied to a confirmed shipbuilding program.

 

Modular Design Supports Autonomous Naval Operations

 

A central feature of SCX 26 is its large aft mission bay, designed to support the deployment, recovery and maintenance of aerial, surface and underwater drones. Integrated lifting equipment and a high-capacity elevator would allow operators to handle different uncrewed systems and helicopters according to mission requirements.

The vessel is intended to operate as part of a wider naval force, coordinating its onboard sensors and weapons with autonomous platforms deployed around it. Its modular design would allow navies to adapt equipment configurations for intelligence gathering, surveillance, electronic warfare, anti-submarine operations, and force protection without redesigning the entire ship.

 

Advanced Weapons and Sensors Address Multiple Threats

 

Naval Group's proposed weapons configuration includes more than 100 vertical launching system cells, an electromagnetic gun and a 100 kW laser weapon. Two Rampart modular launch systems and remotely operated secondary weapons would provide close-range protection. At the same time, a UHF radar designed for ballistic missile defense and an advanced sonar suite would support threat detection.

The concept also incorporates redundant systems and separated weapons installations to improve resilience during combat. Sensors and launchers would be distributed between the bow and stern, reducing dependence on individual systems and supporting continued operation if part of the vessel is damaged.

 

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Automation Designed Around a Smaller Core Crew

 

SCX 26 is designed for a core crew of approximately 150 sailors, with accommodation for another 100 officers and specialists. Automation and artificial intelligence would support information processing, system coordination, and operational awareness, while responsibility for combat decisions would remain with human personnel.

The proposed crew arrangement reflects Naval Group's approach to integrating autonomous technology without removing human oversight. The ship would function as a platform coordinating multiple systems rather than relying exclusively on its own onboard capabilities.

SCX 26 remains a research and design concept, not a vessel approved for construction. Naval Group has not identified a procurement customer, development budget, or construction timetable. Its proposed architecture provides a basis for evaluating how autonomous systems, modular equipment and advanced weapons could be integrated into future naval fleets.